STAND. COM. REP. NO.  1416

 

Honolulu, Hawaii

                , 2023

 

RE:   S.B. No. 655

      S.D. 1

      H.D. 1

 

 

 

 

Honorable Scott K. Saiki

Speaker, House of Representatives

Thirty-Second State Legislature

Regular Session of 2023

State of Hawaii

 

Sir:

 

     Your Committee on Agriculture & Food Systems, to which was referred S.B. No. 655, S.D. 1, entitled:

 

"A BILL FOR AN ACT RELATING TO HEMP,"

 

begs leave to report as follows:

 

     The purpose of this measure is to authorize the Department of Agriculture to align state hemp production administrative rules with any federal law exemptions for fiber, fuel, and seed grain hemp crops.

 

     Your Committee received testimony in support of this measure from the Department of Agriculture, Hawai‘i Farm Bureau, Hawai‘i Farmers Union United, Hawai‘i Hemp Farmers Association, Ho‘ōla Farms, and eight individuals.  Your Committee received comments on this measure from Hawai‘i Sustainable Farms.

 

     Your Committee finds that the growth of the hemp industry in the State could provide numerous economic opportunities.  However, regulatory barriers have hindered this potential growth, resulting in a slow down of the development and production of hemp-based products.  Your Committee further finds that the United States Congress will be amending federal hemp cultivation laws to allow for exemptions with industrial hemp crops that are grown for fiber, fuel, or grain for food.  This measure provides the Department of Agriculture with the authority to amend its hemp production rules to align with federal law when the changes occur.

 

     Your Committee has amended this measure by:

 

     (1)  Changing the effective date to June 30, 3000, to encourage further discussion; and

 

     (2)  Making technical, nonsubstantive amendments for the purposes of clarity, consistency, and style.

 

     As affirmed by the record of votes of the members of your Committee on Agriculture & Food Systems that is attached to this report, your Committee is in accord with the intent and purpose of S.B. No. 655, S.D. 1, as amended herein, and recommends that it pass Second Reading in the form attached hereto as S.B. No. 655, S.D. 1, H.D. 1, and be referred to your Committee on Judiciary & Hawaiian Affairs.

 

 

Respectfully submitted on behalf of the members of the Committee on Agriculture & Food Systems,

 

 

 

 

____________________________

CEDRIC ASUEGA GATES, Chair